I Believe In You

Over the past several decades iconic music videos have been released that took bad, one hit wonder, mediocre and even excellent songs to iconic status. Though I’ll confess to being hardly a music fan and certainly not one acquainted with the latest crop of music videos, one of the most excellent songs I’ve heard in recent years was taken to the next level by an even more excellent video.

Michael Buble’s “I Believe In You” is not only catchy, but it says so much of what the mama and papa of WeMcLaughlins hold to in our marriage:

Time goes by and I’ve been holding everything inside
But now I’ve got nothing left to hide when I’m with you oh you
But I can see how strong a man I’m gonna have to be
To do for you what comes so naturally it’s in the way you move
And all I want is a chance to prove show all I can do
I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true
I believe in good things coming back to you
You’re the light that lifts me higher so bright you guide me through
I believe in you
And I don’t mind If you want to hold on to me tight
You don’t have to sleep along tonight if you don’t want to
And all I want is to know you’re near you’re all I need here
I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true
I believe in good things coming back to you
You’re the light that lifts me higher so bright you guide me through
I believe in you
I know that there are times when you feel worthless
Like all the love you get you don’t deserve it
Sometimes I feel my faith is just a burden on you
I believe in starting over I can see your heart is true
I believe in love you give me reason to
You’re the light that lifts me higher so high up in the sky
I think we’re gonna fly
I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true
I believe in love you give me reason to
You’re the light that lifts me higher so bright you guide me through
I believe in you
I believe in you I believe in you
You guide me through I believe in you

Featuring Derek Hough and Jenya Shatilova, the storyline and choreography are excellent and bring to life a message the song contains that lies at the heart of what we’re trying to build: it’s enough to know you’re here. We live in a time where there are lots of distractions, lots of messages and mechanisms that vie for our attention in every direction. So many families have lost their sense of simplicity and perspective only to retrospectively experience regret at a point often too late.

The song and the video capture so wonderfully the various stages of growth and excitement in a relationship, but also the defining moments where misguided priorities lead to damaging conflict. Yet for the story in the video, a guiding principle keeps them on track: believing in each other. I often revel at the fact that not only do I trust my wife, but I trust in her. I consider the latter to be the more impressive. It should be a given to trust our spouses and families to be true and loyal (this is why it is so painful for those who experience the opposite). However, to trust in your spouse means so much more. I trust in my wife’s counsel. I trust in her talents. I trust in her abilities as a mom and a wife. I trust in her to represent me well (she makes me look good!). Simply put, I believe in her.

While relationships begin with a certain implied trust, and certainly marriages begin with a much deeper trust, to trust in someone is the result of doing life together. As the song says: “I can see your heart is true. I believe in love (because) you give me reason to. (I’ve learned) You’re the light that lifts me higher so bright you guide me through.”

When I see this video and I consider the strength of the team I’m a part of, I likewise conclude for Shannon and I: “I think we’re gonna fly.”